EPA announces new controls on Teflon

On January 25, 2006 the Environmental Protection Agency announced a program which calls for the voluntary withdrawal of use of a toxic compound known as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFOA is the key ingredient used to manufacture Teflon or fluoropolymers which are used in the manufacture of non-stick and stain resistant surfaces and products. PFOA has been detected in low levels in wildlife and humans and recent studies have indicated that it causes effects which are of concern. There are concerns that this compound, which is found in 95 percent of all Americans, can potentially cause cancer. As a result, the EPA is acting now to try to minimize future releases of PFOA into the environment by asking fluoropolymer and telomer manufacturers to participate in the voluntary program to withdraw the use of the chemicals.

The EPA has two goals. The first is to commit to achieve by no later than 2010, a 95% reduction in the facility emissions of PFOA, and precursor and related higher homologue chemicals that can break down to PFOA. The second is to commit toward the elimination of PFOA, PFOA precurser and related higher homologue chemcials from emissions and products by five years thereafter, or no later than 2015.

At this point in time, participation in this program is voluntary and the reductions are being sought in emissions – not the actual presence of the chemicals. (That means you do not have to throw out all the Teflon cooking pans) The use of PFOA in textile fabrics will certainly be permitted for the near future however, there is the very obvious public relations question for Sears. Legal or not they may not want to begin using fabric with PFOA in it.

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